Aṅguttara Nikāya
VIII. Aṭṭhaka Nipāta
VIII. Yamaka-Vagga

VIII. The Book of the Eights

Chapter VIII: The Pairs

Sutta 75

Paṭhama Sampadā Suttaṃ

The Achievements (a)¹

 

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[215]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are these eight achievements.|| ||

What eight?|| ||

Achievement in alertness,
in wariness,
good company,
an even life,
achievement in faith,
in virtue,
in charity
and in wisdom.

Monks, these are the eight achievements.'

 

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Up and alert about his task and toil,
A careful man, he minds his wealth and lives
The even life; and he is virtuous,
Believing, kind and bountiful; he clears
The onward Way to faring well hereafter.
Thus for the believing home-seeker eight states
Have been declared by him whose name is Truth'
As leading unto happiness both here and then,
To bliss hereafter and to welfare now.
This is the standard for a householder,
For merit grows by generosity.'

 

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¹ Sampadā. Cf. above, p. 190 n.